Cardiovascular diseases ranks as the number cause of death worldwide. And while it’s well known that even moderate exercise can significantly lower cardiovascular risk, diagnosing that risk has often involved numerous expensive clinical tests. I’ve written in the past about exercises that can predict longevity, but never ones that come out of a thoroughly researched study.

So, what if there was one simple test that you could do anywhere, even right now, that would predict your risk?

Well, according to a study sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and peer reviewed by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there is an amazingly accurate marker that can predict a 96% lower risk of a cardiovascular disease event (CDV).

The recently published study shows that men who were “able to complete more than 40 push-ups had a 96% reduction in the incident of CVD events compared with those completing fewer than 10 push-ups.

Pushups have always been one of my go to exercises. They give me an amazingly accurate read of just how in shape I am. I’ve been doing them since I was a kid and it never fails that the number of pushups I can do is directly related to how good I feel overall, my level of conditioning, and my ability to do virtually any other exercise.

I’ll even go so far as to say that my state of mind and emotional well-being are just as tightly linked to how many pushups I can do. Knowing I’m able to keep cranking out more pushups as I get older simply gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that cascades into everything else I’m doing.

However, while I always regarded them as a benchmark for my physical and mental health, I had never considered that they were also so closely related to my overall risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

As with any study of this sort the authors point out that what they identified was a statistical correlation and not a cause and effect. In other words don’t go popping a shoulder socket by cranking out 41 pushups just so that you can rationalize downing a Supersized Whopper meal.

Pushups are only one indicator of what’s going on with your cardiovascular system and your overall health. Still, they are a very good statistical indicator.

In fact, according to the study, even being able to “perform 11 or more push-ups at baseline had significantly reduced risk of subsequent CVD events.”

Unfortunately the study was conducted on a group of male firefighters and did not include women. In addition, these were individuals who were all relatively active and employed. Which means that being a couch potato all day and then straining to do 11 pushups likely doesn’t mean much (and I’m being generous using the word “likely” in the last sentence).

None the less, this is good news if you are reasonably active and able to do more than 11 pushups. If you do work out regularly, aren’t sedentary, and can knock of 40+ pushups then it’s great news when it comes to your cardiovascular risk.

We shouldn’t be all that surprised. These findings are consistent with what we’ve all known for some time, being physically fit has irrefutable benefits to long-term health and longevity.

So, if you’re a male between the ages of 21-66, you know what to do now, right?

That’s right. Drop and give me 41!

And, of course, I don’t need to tell you (but I will) that before starting any exercise regiment, or considering its benefits, you should consult with your doctor or a qualified health professional.